LOOKING BACK

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

Any attempt to slow down the fantastic rate of development in South Africa’s expanding mining and industrial “heartland” in the Vaal Basin could lead to national disaster, say top-ranking industrialists and scientists. They challenge the contention by a special committee of the Government Resources and Planning Council suggesting that a slowdown is inevitable because of inadequate water supplies and the State’s decentralisation programmes. There need not necessarily be any slow-down, the experts say, and with the establishment of more new industries vital to the country’s defence needs, any talk of reversing the growth rate in this area must be regarded as dangerous. — January 14 1968

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

The University of the Witwatersrand has come under fire for its 1993 tuition fee increases. The hikes — 10% for first-year students and 12,5 for the rest — have been slammed as unjust to disadvantaged students. However, the university is adamant that the increases are necessary to make up for an 80% loss in subsidies which it says have not been paid since 1985. The vice-chancellor of Wits, Professor Robert Charlton, said: “The average tuition fees range from R5 000 to R7 000 a year. Universities are required to find 20% of their income from fees and other sources.” He said universities faced two options: increase fees or shut down permanently. — January 17 1993